It had been an almost perfect trip to Europe.
After finishing the post-race interview, Shinji Terizumi and Offside Trap returned to the Paris Tracen Academy, said their farewells to Warrior and the rest of the student council, and then boarded their flight back to Japan.
It was easy to imagine what would have happened if Offside Trap had announced her itinerary. Fans would have flooded in of their own accord. After all, she had claimed a proud and unquestionable victory in a top-tier European middle-distance race, defeating some of the strongest contenders in the field. Naturally, the Japanese fanbase had become increasingly fervent over her.
And so, just as her fans were still assuming she would remain in France or England for a while longer, Shinji and Offside Trap quietly returned to Central Tracen Academy.
"That was incredible. We were watching the broadcast, and that defense at the end was just insane. There were a few moments when we really thought she was about to get passed."
Even though the burden of Dolce's bursting Domain had been partially absorbed by Offside Trap's equipment, it had still affected her. Yet her powerful grit had helped her hold the line against Dolce's charge.
Black Swamp nodded as well. Because of Shinji, the man who had once been something of a lone wolf had gradually begun interacting with other trainers too.
"It really was close. On a course with such a long homestretch, a late-closing strategy does seem to have the advantage. If she'd had to face Dolce head-on in a straight contest of finishing speed, Offside Trap probably wouldn't have lost there either."
At those words, the expression on Nishizaki Ryu's face instantly turned awkward.
He could not help thinking back to that Tenno Sho (Autumn), to the scene where Offside Trap had forcefully hunted down Silence Suzuka.
It was an image he still could not forget, even now.
He laughed awkwardly and turned his head aside, but Shinji had already caught the change in his expression and immediately understood what he was remembering.
And Shinji had absolutely no intention of letting him off the hook.
He deliberately raised his voice a little.
"Well, Offside Trap's finishing kick isn't that outrageous, is it?"
Black Swamp was an honest man. He did not understand at all why Shinji was saying this. All he knew was that if even Offside Trap's stretch run did not count as exceptional, then there probably wasn't a single horse girl in all Japan who could be called exceptional in that department.
His eyes widened, and he was just about to object when he saw Nishizaki Ryu raise a hand.
Ryu stopped him from speaking further, wearing a helpless expression.
All he could say was that Shinji really was great in most respects—except that he seemed to hold grudges.
The fact that Nishizaki had once failed to rate Offside Trap had now become a piece of material Shinji could use to needle him every single time.
"By the way, how are things over there with A-Hua?"
"She's doing pretty well. I run into her occasionally around the academy. Eagle's in good shape, and so is Hua."
It was obvious that although Eagle had finished only second in her last race, she had already adapted quite well to European turf. That alone was enough to let Tojo Hana breathe easier.
After all, for Japanese horse girls who came to Europe, the biggest concern was always whether they could handle European turf. As long as that problem did not arise, the camp could prepare for the target race with far more confidence.
From the first day they had arrived in Europe, both Hana and Eagle had treated the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud as their true target. So that earlier defeat had not been much of a blow to them. If anything, it had only given them greater confidence.
"That's good."
Nishizaki let out a breath of relief, then turned to look out the window.
The neon lights outside the bar shone in brilliant colors, reflecting in his eyes. Shinji could tell at a glance that the man was missing Tojo Hana.
"So you two… what exactly are you doing?"
From the very first day he had entered the academy, Shinji had always felt those two would get together sooner or later.
And yet, year after year passed, and even now he had heard nothing about them actually becoming a couple.
"Nothing really. A-Hua wants to become a world-class trainer, and I…"
"That has nothing to do with what I'm asking. Those are two completely different issues. They don't even conflict. Are you seriously giving yourself excuses? Honestly, I think she's just waiting for you to be brave for once."
"Hah…"
Nishizaki waved a hand dismissively. Black Swamp, meanwhile, stayed silent.
This was a topic he had absolutely no place inserting himself into, so he simply drank in silence.
"Forget me. What about you? You're not exactly that young anymore either. Shouldn't you start thinking about finding someone?"
"Not that young anymore?"
Shinji pointed at himself uncertainly. It had only been a few years since he'd gotten his trainer certification. He was barely in his twenties—did that already count as "not young"?
"Yeah. What about Bukoku Fumie? I think the two of you would fit pretty well, honestly. Though I guess the age gap's a little…"
"Come on, do you have to sound like some old relative—"
Shinji pouted, but before he could continue, he noticed the wicked grin spreading across Nishizaki's face.
"Alright, forget Bukoku Fumie then. What about Offside Trap? Don't tell me you can't see how she feels."
Shinji took a sip of his cola and fell silent.
Even Black Swamp was staring straight into his eyes now. Honest as he was, even he could tell that Offside Trap regarded Shinji very differently.
"She should focus on racing well first…"
In the end, that was all Shinji managed to say.
Nishizaki burst into triumphant laughter, so loud that it drew stares from all around the bar, but he did not care in the slightest.
"I knew it! Little brat, you've got some nerve prying into other people's love lives. You should sort out your own first!"
Nishizaki had clearly drunk a little too much. Even the way he spoke had started slipping away from his usual style. Shinji could only sigh helplessly.
"But speaking of racing, for the Takarazuka Kinen, you really need to watch out for Grass Wonder. That horse girl's recovering incredibly well lately, and she's honestly kind of ridiculous right now."
Nishizaki suddenly lifted a brow as he said it, making Shinji glance at him in surprise.
It was not that he was surprised Nishizaki knew about Grass Wonder's recent condition. Nishizaki had always had a habit of observing the training of strong rivals, so Shinji trusted the reliability of his information.
What surprised him was something else.
Grass Wonder was one of Tojo Hana's horse girls.
So why was Nishizaki handing him this information?
"Special Week's weight's getting a little hard to control lately. I'm not telling you this because I want you to do anything for me… just knowing who the biggest threat is might let me profit from it somehow."
Nishizaki was clearly drunk if he was saying things like that.
If Tojo Hana heard him, he'd be lucky not to get smacked.
"If you know Special Week's weight's slipping, then I don't believe for a second you're doing nothing about it. I'm not going to let Halo lower her guard against Special Week."
"Her weight's slipping, I said! What's the point if I've already taken measures and they still aren't working?"
Nishizaki grumbled indignantly, then shook his head.
"Then just focus on keeping an eye on me."
"Keeping an eye on you? I don't think that'll be necessary…"
Shinji said that, and then suddenly laughed.
Nishizaki looked confused. Black Swamp listened intently.
"She's one step away from completing it. In a situation like that, who do you think the horse girl everyone really needs to keep watch on is?"
Only then did Nishizaki realize it.
Like many other trainers, he had let his fixed impression of Saint Halo fool him into thinking she was still unstable.
But the truth was that a horse girl now stood on the verge of completing the newly established Spring Triple Crown.
"Well then, I'm gonna make a point of targeting you two!"
Looking at Shinji's slightly smug expression, Nishizaki grew irritated and began talking big.
But all it did was make Shinji look even more pleased.
"Targeting us?"
"Of course I should!"
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 165)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter220)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter125)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter250)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 220
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 185
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/20
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 248
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 230
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/40
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 125
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 145
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 120
I Can Copy Unique Skills 115
Summoning an Evil God, but the 75
Supernatural Multiverse 110
My Harem Is Indescribable 100
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 105
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 67
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105
Still playing traditional Honk 80
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 85
What Should I Do After Switchi - Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 78
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 80
Checking In in Demon Slayer 85
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 100
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 85
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 80
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 90
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 75
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 80
Why did they assign me to Uma 75
MYGO Beauties 70
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 70
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 80
Honkai's Otherworld? Wait—Who Are You People?! 80
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 57
The Uma Musume Who Became 55
I'm Definitely Not the King of 60
After Maxing Out Every Class 45
Naruto: I'm Konoha's Local Men 35
Honkai: World Modulation Mode 34
I, the Elden Sword Saint 27
Dio Brando Is Challenging FGO 24
No One Knows Pokémon Better 18
I, Sakazuki, Won't Go Down Tha 20
My patreon : patreon.com/queen_sin
My patreon : patreon.com/queen_sin